African violet plant

ABSTRACT

An African violet known by the cultivar name Alberta, having a vigorous growth habit; 12 or more strong flower stems each of which carries 12 or more violet-shaped flowers which are generally white with purple centers and edges, with the flowers normally containing five petals, with an occasional small petal appearing at the center attached to the receptacle; uniform bouquet and by its long blooming period.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Alberta.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation C 44/1-98/79, and is a product of a plannedbreeding program. Alberta is generally characterized by generallyviolet-shaped flowers, strong flower stems, uniform bouquet, prolongedblooming with non-dropping flowers, and up to 12 and more flowers perstem. The flowers are generally white, with purple tinging on the edgesand centers. These traits in combination were not present in previouslyavailable commercial cultivars.

The new cultivar was originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program in Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany. The female, or seedparent was a cultivar designated Velli/Wifo blue, unpatented. The male,or pollen parent was a cultivar designated 86/75 white star, alsounpatented.

The new cultivar Alberta was discovered and selected as a floweringplant within the progeny of the stated cross by me in a controlledenvironment in Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings and bydivision of shoots, as performed by me at Isselburg, Rhineland, Germany,has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction. The followingobservations, meausurements and values described plants grown inIsselburg, Rhineland, Germany, under greenhouse conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Alberta, which in combination distinguishthis African violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

(1) Upright and strong flower stems.

(2) Up to 12 or more violet-shaped flowers per stem.

(3) The base color of the flowers is white, with the center and edgesbeing red-violet.

(4) Vigorous growth habit, producing 12 or more flower stems.

(5) Flexible leaves and petioles.

(6) Long blooming period.

(7) The petals are normally five in number, three large and two small,although occasionally an additional small petal will appear at thereceptacle.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows a typical specimen plant ofthe new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are as true aspossible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to the RoyalHorticultural Society color chart (RHS), except where general colorterms of ordinary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat. cv Alberta.

Parentage:

Male parent.--86/75 white star.

Female parent.--Velu/Wifo blue.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings and by division ofshoots.

Plant: From 10 cm. to 12 cm. tall when grown in pots, and approximately25-35 cm. in diameter when fully grown. Environmental conditions such aslight, etc. obviously affect the growth attained.

Leaves:

General form.--Oval.

Diameter.--60-65 mm.

Texture.--Leather-like.

Aspect.--Slightly hairy.

Venis.--Visible from upperside, well pronounced from underside andhairy.

Color (upperside).--RHS 147A.

Color (underside).--RHS 148C.

Petiole.--Strong; small flat groove on upperside; slightly hairy.

Flowers:

Buds.--Bell-shaped; 5-7 cm. in diameter, RHS 78B-C.

Sepals.--Color: yellow-green 152 A RHS. Calyx: funnel-shaped. Aspect:spear-shaped. Peduncle: brown-reddish, hairy.

Individual flowers:

Size.--30 mm in diameter, flat.

Color.--Upperside: center and edges, RHS 78A; other areas white rangingto purple. Underside: White to RHS 77C-D.

Borne.--Flower stems carry up to 12 single flowers a few of which showan additional small petal joined at the receptacle. Seed capsule ispushed slightly through.

Shape.--Violet-shaped, 2 small petals, 3 large.

Corolla.--Main color is white, center and edges are purple.

Arrangement.--Flowers are on slightly bent, strong stems, medium greento brown in color and slightly hairy.

Flowering time.--6-7 weeks after potting, the first flowers appear; 8-10weeks to full bloom, with up to 10 flower stems.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Two in number.

Anthers.--4 cells, color 8A RHS.

Filaments.--Slightly bent, yellow-green with partly brown-purplestripes.

Styles.--6-8 mm. long, color RHS 78A.

Pollen color.--RHS 18C.

Roots: Normally developed; young roots are white, when older turningbrownish.

Disease resistance: No disease noticed to date.

General observations: Alberta is a vigorous growing variety with up to12 and more peduncles, and 12 or more single flowers on each peduncle.The principal color is white, with the center and edges of the flowersbeing purple. A few flowers have additional petals appearing out of thecenter of the flower, and the flowers are non-dropping.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet, as shown anddescribed, known by the cultivar name Alberta, and characterized by thecombined features of vigorous growth habit; producing 12 or more strongflower stems each of which carries 12 or more violet-shaped flowerswhich are generally white with purple centers and edges, with theflowers normally containing five petals, with an occasional small petalappearing at the center attached to the receptacle; uniform bouquet andby its long blooming period.